Drifting a Subie
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 232
From: Delaware
Car Info: 04' WRX Silver Scooby
Anyone here drifting their subie? I know it's difficult because of our amazing AWD, but I was curious to see if anyone has and what modifications you have?
:fighting0098: :character00231:
:fighting0098: :character00231:
General Pimpin'
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From: Knee deep in beer. subabrew crew, ca.
Car Info: MY04 aspen wrx wagon.
It can be done. It has been done.
My question is this...if you're so into drifting why use a subaru? There are TONS of other options out there that require very few modifications.
My question is this...if you're so into drifting why use a subaru? There are TONS of other options out there that require very few modifications.
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From: Pleasanton, CA
Car Info: a prius, a miata, & 2 m3's
It's very difficult to get an AWD car to drift to the level of RWD drift cars. By nature, they do not slide as progressively since AWD is designed for maximum *traction,* not slip angle!
That said, I can get mine to oversteer by driving to the limit of adhesion, lifting off the throttle, applying the brakes mid corner to transfer weight forward and reduce traction at the rear, and throttling out, but I highly recommend learning handling dynamics in a safe environment before trying it on the street. This is a very good recipe to spin your car if you do not know what you are doing.
That said, I can get mine to oversteer by driving to the limit of adhesion, lifting off the throttle, applying the brakes mid corner to transfer weight forward and reduce traction at the rear, and throttling out, but I highly recommend learning handling dynamics in a safe environment before trying it on the street. This is a very good recipe to spin your car if you do not know what you are doing.
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From: EBAIC Pleasanton :)
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Warm Fuzzy Admin
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From: Sacramento, CA
Car Info: 97 LOB, 05 FXT, 03 Tundra
Not all Subies stay AWD 


My toy: 92 Legacy Turbo, 2.5RS trans converted to RWD, 3.9 rearend with LSD.
It's easier than you think, and it works better than you think, too

My toy: 92 Legacy Turbo, 2.5RS trans converted to RWD, 3.9 rearend with LSD.
It's easier than you think, and it works better than you think, too
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 232
From: Delaware
Car Info: 04' WRX Silver Scooby
That's all...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 232
From: Delaware
Car Info: 04' WRX Silver Scooby
It's very difficult to get an AWD car to drift to the level of RWD drift cars. By nature, they do not slide as progressively since AWD is designed for maximum *traction,* not slip angle!
That said, I can get mine to oversteer by driving to the limit of adhesion, lifting off the throttle, applying the brakes mid corner to transfer weight forward and reduce traction at the rear, and throttling out, but I highly recommend learning handling dynamics in a safe environment before trying it on the street. This is a very good recipe to spin your car if you do not know what you are doing.
That said, I can get mine to oversteer by driving to the limit of adhesion, lifting off the throttle, applying the brakes mid corner to transfer weight forward and reduce traction at the rear, and throttling out, but I highly recommend learning handling dynamics in a safe environment before trying it on the street. This is a very good recipe to spin your car if you do not know what you are doing.

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From: Bend, Oregon
Car Info: E28M5, RAM Powerwagon, Motos
This was a small video of the 10 minutes I was playing around on a skid pad. It helps to have some water, so you break less drivetrain parts drifting around, especially as I was on slicks. STi's can drift much easier due to the 35/65 front to rear torque distribution of power. Scandanavian flick and application of power does wonders. Upgraded differentials doesn't hurt either.
Honestly, its expensive to drift a awd subaru on Tarmac. Ask my axles.
-Kevin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LTN6l7FmSjY
Honestly, its expensive to drift a awd subaru on Tarmac. Ask my axles.
-Kevin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LTN6l7FmSjY
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 232
From: Delaware
Car Info: 04' WRX Silver Scooby
This was a small video of the 10 minutes I was playing around on a skid pad. It helps to have some water, so you break less drivetrain parts drifting around, especially as I was on slicks. STi's can drift much easier due to the 35/65 front to rear torque distribution of power. Scandanavian flick and application of power does wonders. Upgraded differentials doesn't hurt either.
Honestly, its expensive to drift a awd subaru on Tarmac. Ask my axles.
-Kevin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LTN6l7FmSjY
Honestly, its expensive to drift a awd subaru on Tarmac. Ask my axles.
-Kevin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LTN6l7FmSjY
General Pimpin'
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From: Knee deep in beer. subabrew crew, ca.
Car Info: MY04 aspen wrx wagon.
i was a reading an import mag (Zoom: issue 101) and the main article was about a 1st gen wrx modded to 8.59secs, with a top speed of 155mph. its a stroked 2.6L with a freakish 437kw at the wheels!! apparently its australia's quickest wrx, but i was impressed with its ability to change from AWD for dragging, to RWD for drifting and burnouts at the flick of a switch. that'd come in very handy
anyone heard of anything similar, or how to do it?
anyone heard of anything similar, or how to do it?
Last edited by Kaji; Jun 4, 2007 at 03:05 AM.
I can drift my wife's Legacy GT wagon. Drift is not just about power, it is about angle of force and adhesion. The wagon is tail-heavy and underpowered, so I head into a corner, aim directly at the apex and lift throttle. Just after lifting throttle I snap the wheel towards the inside (Scandinavian Flick cheater style). When the rear begins to go out, don't correct the wheel, correct with the throttle. Stock 97 Legacy, 4AT, no e-brake use, Conti tires. More of a power slide than a true drift, but my wheels are not pointed the direction I am going, so that qualifies as a drift in my book.
I can't do the same thing with my 02 WRX; my tires/wheels/suspension mods make it stick too well.
I can't do the same thing with my 02 WRX; my tires/wheels/suspension mods make it stick too well.


